Thai Driver's license renewal?

[Chas]

I did a couple of searches on this forum and could not locate the thread I remember seeing with details of this procedure.

I took a wasted trip to Cha am today only to find that I needed a "proof of residence" I think I get this from the police? Copies of my passport and a doctor's certificate.

I think he said that this will be for 5 years, although I should have renewed the one year one several months ago. Just forgot.

So I am not sure if this is standard procedure, punishment for being farang, punishment for not renewing in time or just a guy in a bad mood. . .and we didnt even get to the fees!

I was also offered a "smart" card". .when I come back with all the paperwork. Anyone have one? Any advantage?

Thanks all.

[Nereus]

I did a couple of searches on this forum and could not locate the thread I remember seeing with details of this procedure.

I took a wasted trip to Cha am today only to find that I needed a "proof of residence" I think I get this from the police? Copies of my passport and a doctor's certificate.

I think he said that this will be for 5 years, although I should have renewed the one year one several months ago. Just forgot.

So I am not sure if this is standard procedure, punishment for being farang, punishment for not renewing in time or just a guy in a bad mood. . .and we didnt even get to the fees!

I was also offered a "smart" card". .when I come back with all the paperwork. Anyone have one? Any advantage?

Thanks all.

Yes, it is simple enough if you take the paper work they have asked for. Do not worry about the one you have being expired: it has to be or they will not issue you a new one. Yes, the "smart card" licence is good for 5 years, and the date is taken from your next birthday, so if you work it right it can be nearly 6 years. All small "clinics" should have the correct form for the medical certificate, 50 baht is the normal fee. Proof of address can be the only stumbling block. It will take the police a couple of weeks and / or some "oil" to get it, or your embassy should do a stat dec for a fee.

[HHTel]

I initially (for my first one year licence) had to show proof of residence. Easily obtained from the police (30 mins and a couple of hundred baht). I didn't need any of that for renewal which as pointed out can last up to 6 years.

Unless it's changed, in this particular procedure, farangs are better off. At the time I renewed mine, Thais were not allowed a long licence and had to do year by year!!

[dtaai-maai]

But how necessary is a Thai Driving licence? I've been here a few years now and have been stopped more than a few times. My UK licence has never been questioned.

[Norseman]

Good question d.m.
You don't need a Thai driving license because you will never be instructed by the police to swop your farang driving license and make a Thai license.
Is it ok to drive in Malaysia with a Thai license?
If you're stopped by the police they can't read your name in your driving license, nor see if it's a motosai driving license you're handing over.
Whether you have a farang or a Thai license, police will still fine you at the end of each month, so why bother all the fuss and fret to obtain one?

[Nereus]

But how necessary is a Thai Driving licence? I've been here a few years now and have been stopped more than a few times. My UK licence has never been questioned.

It is said by many that should know that, the biggest advantage of having a Thai driving licence is that: it is a "de-facto" ID card.
The new smart card reportedly contains your address and passport number, and will therefore be accepted in lieu of your passport. (which you are supposed to carry at ALL times)

The other advantage is that you can use it as a means to TRY and gain access to those rip off places that charge Farlangs 400% more than Thais for entrance. I have yet to see this work, but some claim that it does.

And for those of you that own vehicles, do not be surprised when Mr Thai Insurance Co refuses to pay your claim because you do not have a Thai licence.

[poosmate]

The old style Thai licence has your address and the driver number is your passport number. Why would this be accepted instead of a passport which should be carried to check visa status etc?

[Nereus]

The old style Thai licence has your address and the driver number is your passport number. Why would this be accepted instead of a passport which should be carried to check visa status etc?

If you bother to read that which I wrote, you will see that I referred to the new"smart card" type of licence. Yes, the old type has your passport number and address; it is also widely acknowledged that it is very easy to obtain a fake copy, hence the new electronic system. Also note that it will not be issued if you do not have the correct visa in your passport.

Norseman: A Thai licence is valid in Singapore, Malaysia and Laos.

[poosmate]

My point was that a driving licence ( any type) will not be accepted instead of a passport which has visa details in it. Just because a driving licence application has to be accompanied by a non imm.type visa this visa could have only one day to run but the licence for up to five years.

[Chas]

HHTEL yours is an interesting experience. You say you got your 5 year on renewal without submitting all the paperwork?

That is what I expected to be able to do, but wondered why I was being asked for everything all over again. My Thai spouse was irate with them and gave the clerk hell over the phone for making life difficult for farangs. . which probably means I can not go back to that office ( the one north of Chaam on a back road)

Can it be done at any office I wonder? And what is the next nearest?

Ok. As to the paperwork, I am fine with everything put the proof of residence thing from the police or Embassy. (We are talking US embassy here, so forget that route!) What exactly is the police report called in Thai? Anyone?

And it seems that HHTEL got this paper from the police easily but Nereus had a big hassle. Same police station?

As to the value of having one. . it instantly separates you from the tourists and there are situations in which this might be desirable. I have used it to get a Thai rate. . at Palau.

As well, my US license had expired so I have NO valid license at all and I feel that I should have one. ( Brainwashed?)

[Nereus]

Can it be done at any office I wonder? And what is the next nearest?

Ok. As to the paperwork, I am fine with everything put the proof of residence thing from the police or Embassy. (We are talking US embassy here, so forget that route!) What exactly is the police report called in Thai? Anyone?
And it seems that HHTEL got this paper from the police easily but Nereus had a big hassle. Same police station?
As to the value of having one. . it instantly separates you from the tourists and there are situations in which this might be desirable. I have used it to get a Thai rate. . at Palau.
As well, my US license had expired so I have NO valid license at all and I feel that I should have one. ( Brainwashed?)

Chas, I got a stat. dec. from my Embassy rather than the Police.
I have read somewhere that you are supposed to apply at the office that has jurisdiction in your area of residence.

Also, do not be alarmed by the fact that your Thai licence is expired. It, in fact, has to be before they will issue a new one. I know of one person that had a Licence issued in 1976 (valid for 1 year) that obtained a new one, along with a big laugh, last year. I guess it is a bit like the Immigration Dept., each little fiefdom has its own rules.

[Chas]

#1. I have the doctors certificate.

#2. The copies of my passport I can get anywhere. No problem.

#3. The status/residence proof/paper whatever has me confused.
The local police at the Hua Hin station do not know me from Adam . .how would they know where I live? I have nothing more to show them than I had to show the driver licence people.

The Immigration police might be in a better position to know, but I hate to drive out and find out its the wrong place.

US embassy is also a real hassle and I just dont want to go there.(Nereus, what embassy did you go to? And isnt anything they supply in English?

Bottom line, I am rather stumped by this.

[Nereus]

[quote="Chas#3. The status/residence proof/paper whatever has me confused.
The local police at the Hua Hin station do not know me from Adam . .how would they know where I live? I have nothing more to show them than I had to show the driver licence people.
.[/quote]

Chas, I am an Australian, so got it at that Embassy. Your comment about the police is why I wrote that it could take a couple of weeks. As I understand it they have to come to your house and confirm that you are actually there. But then there are posters on here that know better than I do. Suggest you go ask them, leave your wife at home! Invite them to lunch!

[Terry]

An observation

One other 'advantage' of having a Thai Driving Licence is that you get more respect and less hastle from the BIB when stopped at the seemingly endless numbers of road blocks.

It's as if you get a 'reward' for making the effort to 'localise' your I.D.

[JD]

#3. The status/residence proof/paper whatever has me confused.
The local police at the Hua Hin station do not know me from Adam . .how would they know where I live? I have nothing more to show them than I had to show the driver licence people.

Chas, it really depends on your residential status.

If you own your house you should have a tambien bahn, a yellow book, take that to the police station and they will give you the letter you require for the licence.

If you rent, you will need to show the police your rental/lease agreement and/or a letter from the owner of the property stating that you are renting the property.

You will need to do this within 1 month of your doctors certificate or they might send you off to get another one.

I think you will also need the obligatory album full of photographs in every possible size to suit all of the paperwork you will need, and remember to have multiple photocopies of all your paperwork just in case.

It really isn't that stressful to get a licence, they will make you take an eye test and a reflex test before they issue the licence.

Try to get to the Driving Centre in Pranburi before 9.30 or you will have to wait until the afternoon to collect your new Thai licence.

Good Luck